Positioning of low power devices

ABSTRACT

The invention inter alia relates to a method, performed by a first apparatus, for positioning or assisting in positioning said first apparatus, said method comprising: obtaining multiple original identifiers identifying respective first radio networks or nodes thereof; generating, for each of at least two of said original identifiers, from a respective original identifier a shortened identifier being representative of said respective original identifier and having a smaller size than said respective original identifier; and providing said shortened identifiers over a second radio network for positioning or assisting in positioning said first apparatus

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates to the field of positioning, in particular thepositioning of low power devices.

BACKGROUND

The number of devices with location capabilities is expected to growexponentially in the next decade or so. This growth is the result of theInternet-of-Things (IoT) era, in which more and more devices getconnected to the Internet. Soon homes, factories, cities andtransportation means will be equipped with low-cost sensors that producereal-time information on various characteristics and environmentvariables. Moreover, cheaper electronics enables factories andindustries to equip assets and supply chains with trackers that providereal-time information on the flow of goods.

A basic requirement for the IoT is that the sensors and trackers usuallyneed to be location-aware.

The location-awareness can basically be achieved in two ways: either thedevice has its own positioning capabilities (e.g. by locally utilizingsignals from a global navigation satellite system or other radio systemssuch as a cellular, WLAN or Bluetooth system) or the device makesmeasurements of the radio environment of such radio systems (e.g. acellular, WLAN or Bluetooth system) and sends them to a server, e.g. acloud server, for position determination.

When it comes to small devices that must function autonomously forextended periods of time, power consumption is of special concern. Thedevices are powered by batteries and, thus, any means to reduce thepower drain are welcome. As far as location technologies are concerned,there are few ways to reduce power consumption. The greatest powersaving results from using the correct technoloav at the correct time.

One specific characteristic of the IoT devices is their low bandwidth.IoT devices need to be extremely power-efficient so that their batterylasts for extended periods. One of the mechanisms to reduce powerconsumption is to use low-bandwidth connectivity networks that haveespecially been designed for IoT devices. In practice, low-bandwidthmeans small payload size per message combined with a small number ofmessages per day.

As described above, one way of equipping such IoT devices with apositioning capability is to observe for instance certaincharacteristics of WLAN signals and provide these to a server, whichthen uses these observed characteristics to locate the device using aWLAN positioning service. Due to the described low bandwidth, however,only very limited information about the observed WLAN signals can beprovided from the IoT devices to the server. This will result in poorpositioning results, e.g. poor speed, reliability and/or accuracy.

Therefore, it is inter alia an object of the invention to improve thepositioning performance for devices in low bandwidth scenarios, such aslow power devices, so that a more accurate and reliable positioning ofthese devices can be achieved.

SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, a (first) method, performed by a firstapparatus, for positioning or assisting in positioning said firstapparatus, is described, said method comprising:

-   -   obtaining multiple original identifiers identifying respective        first radio networks or nodes thereof;    -   generating, for each of at least two of said original        identifiers, from a respective original identifier a shortened        identifier being representative of said respective original        identifier and having a smaller size than said respective        original identifier;    -   checking whether a-priori information on a location of said        first apparatus is available or is potentially available,    -   providing said shortened identifiers over a second radio network        for positioning or assisting in positioning said first        apparatus; and    -   providing at least one original identifier together with said        shortened identifiers, if a result of said checking is that        a-priori information on a location of said first apparatus is        not available or potentially not available.

According to a second aspect, a (second) method for positioning orassisting in positioning a first apparatus, performed by a secondapparatus, is described, said method comprising:

-   -   obtaining at least two shortened identifiers over a second radio        network for positioning of said first apparatus, each of said        shortened identifiers having been generated from a respective        original identifier obtained at said first apparatus and        identifying respective first radio networks or nodes thereof,        wherein a respective shortened identifier is representative of a        respective original identifier and having a smaller size than        said respective original identifier; and    -   determining a position estimate of said first apparatus at least        in part based on positioning data of respective first networks        or nodes thereof associated with said at least two shortened        identifiers, wherein, if available, said determining of a        position estimate of said first apparatus is at least in part        also based on a-priori knowledge on a position of said first        apparatus.

According to the first or second aspect, a (first or second) apparatusis described configured to realize or comprising respective means forrealizing the method according to the first or second aspect. The meansof these apparatuses can be implemented in hardware and/or software.They may comprise for instance a processor, e.g. for executing computerprogram code for realizing the required functions, a memory storing theprogram code, or both. Alternatively, they could comprise for instancecircuitry that is designed to realize the required functions, forinstance implemented in a chipset or a chip, like an integrated circuit.

According to the first or second aspect, an alternative (first orsecond) apparatus is also described comprising at least one processorand at least one memory including computer program code, the at leastone memory and the computer program code configured to, with the atleast one processor, cause an apparatus at least to perform the methodaccording to the first or second aspect.

Any of the described apparatuses may comprise only the indicatedcomponents or one or more additional components. Any of the describedapparatuses may be a module or a component for a device, for example achip. Alternatively, any of the described apparatuses may be a device,for instance a server or a mobile terminal. Any of the describedapparatuses may for instance at least comprise a user interface, acommunication interface and/or an antenna.

According to the first or second aspect, a computer readable storagemedium is also described in which computer program code according to thefirst or second aspect is stored.

According to the first or second aspect, a computer program code isfurther described, the computer program code when executed by aprocessor causing an apparatus to perform the actions of the method ofthe first or second aspect. The computer readable storage medium couldbe for example a disk or a memory or the like. The computer program codecould be stored in the computer readable storage medium in the form ofinstructions encoding the computer-readable storage medium. The computerreadable storage medium may be intended for taking part in the operationof a device, like an internal or external hard disk of a computer, or beintended for distribution of the program code, like an optical disc. Itis to be understood that also the computer program code by itself has tobe considered an embodiment of the invention.

According to a third aspect, a system is described comprising a firstapparatus and a second apparatus, said first apparatus configured torealize or comprising respective means for realizing a method accordingthe first aspect and said second apparatus configured to realize orcomprising respective means for realizing a method according to thesecond aspect.

According to the third aspect, an alternative system is also describedcomprising a first apparatus and a second apparatus, each apparatuscomprising at least one processor and at least one memory includingcomputer program code, the respective at least one memory and therespective computer program code configured to, with the respective atleast one processor, cause the first apparatuses to perform a methodaccording to the first aspect and cause the second apparatus to performa method according to the second aspect.

For instance, the first radio network may be a cellular or non-cellularradio network (e.g. a communication system). A cellular radio network isfor instance a second generation (2G, for instance the Global System forMobile Communication (GSM), the General Packet Radio System (GPRS), theEnhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or the High SpeedCircuit-Switched Data (HSCSD)), third generation (3G, for instance theUniversal Mobile Telecommunication System, UMTS, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA orCDMA-2000), fourth generation (4G, for instance the Long Term Evolution,LTE, system, the LTE Advanced (LTE-A) system or the IEEE 802.16 m WiMAXsystem) or fifth generation (5G) radio network. A non-cellular radionetwork is for instance a WLAN network, a Bluetooth (LE) network, aZigBee network, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) network, abroadcasting network such as for instance Digital Video Broadcasting(DVB), Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) or Frequency-Modulated(FM)/Amplitude-Modulated (AM) radio, a Near Field Communication (NFC)network, etc. A cellular radio network may for instance be characterizedby a basically seamless pavement of a geographical area (usually in theorder of at least hundreds or thousands of square kilometers) with cellsin which coverage is provided by respective nodes of the radio networkthat are operated by the same operator, which network may for instancesupport communication handover between cells.

Consequently, a non-cellular radio network may be characterized as aradio network that does not have all of these properties. It is alsopossible that the first radio network is a Low Power Wide Area Network(LPWAN), e.g. based on LoRa, NarrowBand IoT or Sigfox technology, justto name some examples, which will be explained in more detail withreference to the second radio network.

Accordingly, a node of such a first radio network may be a node or cellof the above cellular or a node of the above non-cellular radionetworks, such as an access point, for example a WLAN AP, for instanceaccording to one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. A WLANmay for example operate on a single frequency band (2.4 GHz according toIEEE 802.11b/g or 5.0 GHz according to IEEE 802.11a/h/ac, representingthe two frequency bands 2.4-2.4835 GHz, and 5.15-5.725 GHz,respectively), or on two frequencies bands (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHzaccording to IEEE 802.11n, again representing the two frequency bands2.4-2.4835 GHz, and 5.15-5.725 GHz, respectively).

Accordingly, non-limiting examples of an obtained original identifieridentifying a respective first radio network or a node thereof arecellular cell identifiers (e.g. a Mobile Country Code (MCC), a MobileNetwork Code (MNC), a Local Area Code (LAC) and/or a Cell Identity (OD)in case of coverage areas of a 2G mobile communications system, a UTRANCell ID (UC-ID) in case of a 3G mobile communications system, or an LTECell Identity in case of a 4G communications system), and identifiers ofWLAN access points (e,g. a BSSID, a Medium Access Control (MAC) address,or an SSID of a WLAN access point). An original identifier may beunderstood to be associated with the respective first radio network orthe node thereof. An original identifier may be a globally or locallyunique identifier. An original identifier can be obtained (received)over the respective first radio network, e.g. in contrast to theshortened identifier (which will be described in more detail below). Theidentifier may for instance be associated with layer 2 of the OSI model.

The shortened identifier is shortened compared to the originalidentifier it is generated from. For instance, the shortened identifierhas a shorter length than the respective original identifier. Theshortened identifier is for instance generated by applying amathematical operation on the original identifier, by mapping theidentifier onto the shortened identifier and/or by using a hashfunction, as will be explained in further detail below. In contrast tothe original identifier, the shortened identifier may not be globally orlocally unique. The shortened identifier, for instance, mayunambiguously be generated from the respective original identifier, bute.g. not vice versa, i.e. the shortened derivative does not necessarilyallow for deducing the respective original identifier.

That the shortened identifier is smaller in size than the originalidentifier means that the shortened identifier for instance has lessinformation units, needs less memory when stored and/or less bandwidthwhen transmitted compared to the original identifier. A shortenedidentifier therefore leads to reduced consumption of transmissionbandwidth, transmission costs and/or resources, such as energy, when theshortened identifier instead of the original identifier is transferred,for example. The shortened identifier may be generated by reducing itslength compared to the respective original identifier. For example, theoriginal identifier may be a certain byte number (e.g. a 12-bytenumber), while the shortened identifier may be a number having lessbytes (e.g. a 1-byte, 2-byte, 3-byte or 4-byte number). For instance, ifnot more than 6 bytes shall be used by the shortened identifierscombined, it may be possible to generate six 1-byte, three 2-byte, two3-byte or four 1.5-byte identifiers. It may also be the case thatshortened identifiers of different sizes are generated. In the aboveexample, if not more than 6 bytes shall be used by the shortenedidentifiers combined, it may for instance be the case that one 2-byteand four 1-byte identifiers (or any other suitable combination) aregenerated.

As an example (at least or at most) one, two, three, four, five or sixoriginal identifiers may be used for generating the respective shortenedidentifiers. This may also depend on the number of original identifiersobservable or obtainable by the first apparatus.

In one example, the first apparatus provides exclusively shortened (andoptionally original) identifiers for positioning purposes.Alternatively, it may be possible that the first apparatus also providesadditional information (e.g. a received signal strength) about the firstnetworks or nodes thereof to the second apparatus.

The shortened (and optionally original) identifiers may be provided to asecond apparatus according to the second aspect. There, the at least twoshortened identifiers may be obtained (at least in part) over the secondradio network.

The second radio network is understood to be a network different fromthe first radio networks. The second radio network may have a largercoverage area than a first radio network. The second radio network mayprovide a lower bandwidth (rate of data transfer, e.g. bits/s and/ormessages/day) than a first radio network. The second radio network mayin particular be a low power wide area network (LPWAN), as will beexplained in more detail below.

At least in part based on positioning data of respective first networksor nodes thereof associated with said at least two shortenedidentifiers, the second apparatus can determine a position estimate ofsaid first apparatus. Positing data of a first network or a node thereofmay for instance comprise information about the geographical position ofthe node of the radio network, such as coordinates of the node of theradio network. Positioning data may additionally or alternativelycomprise coverage area model information and/or radio channel modelinformation of the respective node. A determination of a position of thefirst apparatus may for example be achieved by an averaging process,e.g. by averaging the respective geographical positions of therespective nodes for which a shortened identifier has been obtained.However, other positioning algorithms may also be utilized. This maydepend on the information available about the first apparatus and/or thedata received from the first apparatus. For instance, if also signalstrength data is received from the first device, more complexpositioning algorithms, e.g. involving coverage area models or the like,may be used.

The positioning data may be obtained from a database, e.g. a database ofthe second apparatus or a database from which the second apparatus canretrieve data. The database may store a plurality of original and/orshortened identifiers of respective first radio networks or nodesthereof, as explained for example of a non-cellular radio network suchas WLAN systems. The database may associate the positioning data ofrespective first networks or nodes thereof with the original identifiersand/or the shortened identifiers. For instance, the database comprisesdatasets storing an original identifier and respective positioning data.A dataset may also comprise a respective shortened identifier.

However, in particular in case the shortened identifier is a truncatedoriginal identifier, the database or datasets do not necessarily need tocomprise respective shortened identifiers, as the shortened identifierscan easily be derived from the stored original identifiers.

In order to obtain original identifiers, the first apparatus maycomprise a radio interface, e.g. a receiver or transceiver for receivingthe original identifiers of the first radio networks. It may be the casethat the radio interface or module is a stripped down radio interface ormodule, which may for instance be unable to communicate over therespective first radio network. The radio interface or module may forinstance work as a radio network packet analyzer or sniffer, which maybe able to receive in particular the respective original identifiers ofthe first radio network. In other words, the radio interface or moduleis only meant for receiving respective signals for positioning purposes,but not for providing connectivity (which connectivity would beexpensive in terms of energy).

As an example, the bandwidth of the first apparatus may be restricted toat most 140 messages per day, each with the payload size of 12 bytesonly. If the first apparatus needs to be located e.g. every 10 minutes,this will take approximately 140 messages per day. This in turn meansthat the information provided by the first apparatus for positioningpurposes, e.g. with a positioning request of the first apparatus, canstrictly only comprise 12 bytes or less. In case of the originalidentifier being a WLAN MAC address, the identifier is 6 bytes and,thus, the first apparatus would normally only be able to send a messagecarrying only two WLAN MAC addresses. However, by using shortenedidentifiers, it may for instance be possible to provide one originalidentifier (one full mac address) and two, three, four or even sixshortened identifiers. This may improve the positioning result whenpositioning the first device

Preferably, the positioning estimate of the first apparatus may byfurther used by the second apparatus, e.g. stored in a local or clouddatabase, and used e.g. for analytic and/or visualization purposes.However, it is generally also possible that the determined positionestimate is provided from the second apparatus to the first apparatus,so that the first apparatus is aware of its own position.

While according to the first method at least one original identifiertogether with said shortened identifiers is provided (at least incertain cases), accordingly, the second method may further comprise:

-   -   obtaining at least one original identifier obtained at said        first apparatus together with said shortened identifiers;        wherein said determining of a position estimate of said first        apparatus is at least in part also based on positioning data of        respective first networks or nodes thereof associated with said        at least one original identifier.

Preferably, precisely one original identifier is provided (in eachcase). Therein, the original identifier, which is provided by the firstapparatus and obtained by the second apparatus, respectively, isdifferent from the original identifiers used for generating theshortened identifiers. It can thus be understood that an additionaloriginal identifier is provided and obtained, which has not been usedfor generating a shortened identifier. This may further increase thepositioning performance, in particular if no information on the positionof the first apparatus is yet known, as further described below.

For instance, the obtained original identifier and its property to beglobally or locally unique may be used for a first (coarse) positionestimate or identification of an area in which the first apparatus maybe positioned. Searching for the original identifiers or the respectivefirst networks or nodes thereof matching the obtained shortenedidentifiers can thus be limited to those original identifiers beingassociated with positioning data of a geographical position close tothis fist position estimate or area.

In this regard, the first method may further comprise:

-   -   providing said shortened identifiers without providing an        original identifier, if a result of said checking is that        a-priori information on a location of said first apparatus is        available or potentially available.

In case a-priori information on a location of the first apparatus is(potentially) already available (e.g. at the second apparatus or anotherapparatus in communication with the second apparatus), it may not benecessary to provide an original identifier (the transmission of whichconsumes more bandwidth than the shortened identifiers) to the secondapparatus. Rather, only shortened identifiers may be provided by thefirst apparatus and obtained by the second apparatus.

However, if a-priori information on a location of the first apparatus is(potentially) not available, it may be advantageous to provide at leastone (e.g. precisely one) original identifier for positioning purposes.The at least one original identifier obtained by the second apparatuscan be used to reliably and without ambiguities query a database forpositioning data. Ambiguities resulting from the shortened identifiersmay be resolved in this way.

A-priori information on a location of the first apparatus may comprisean earlier position estimate, e.g. from an earlier positioning process.It may also be possible that the area in which the first apparatus maybe positioned is limited, so that only a limited geographical area maybe relevant in the first place. The a-priori information may be presentat the first and/or second apparatus. Since the first apparatus may notnecessarily know, e.g. whether the second apparatus is in possession ofa-priori information or whether the first apparatus has movedsubstantially, the first apparatus may only check whether the a-prioriinformation is potentially available. For instance, it may be assumedthat a-priori information on the location is available if an earlierdetermination of a position estimate was performed (e.g. within acertain maximum time limit, e.g. within the last hour or day) and/or ifthe first apparatus can determine it has not moved substantially (e.g.within a certain maximum distance, e.g. by utilizing movement sensordata of the first device).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects, saidmethod is performed more than once and, for at least some provisions(e.g. for each provision) of the at least one original identifier, adifferent original identifier (than the one used before) is chosen fromthe obtained multiple original identifiers. As the described method maybe carried out repeatedly (in particularly regularly and/orautomatically), the action of providing said shortened identifiers andproviding said at least one original identifier together with saidshortened identifiers may be carried out more than once, e.g. multipletimes. In order to increase the likelihood of a successful positioningand/or to increase the quality (e.g. precision) of the positioning, theoriginal identifier chosen from the obtained/available originalidentifiers may be changed from time to time, e.g. for every provision(i.e. from message to message). For instance, it may be cycled throughthe obtained/available original identifiers. This is in particularlyadvantageous in case the first device is stationary or only movingslightly. This advantage can be illustrated by considering the scenario,in which the first apparatus is stationary or only moving slightly andthere is no (or not sufficient) a-priori information on a location ofthe first apparatus available (e.g. at the second apparatus). If thefirst apparatus now always provides the same original identifier, it maybe the case that the provided original identifier is unknown at thesecond apparatus or no (sufficient) positioning information is availablefor the original identifier. In that case, a positioning (or asufficiently precise positioning) of the first identifier may not beachievable.

According to an exemplary embodiment, positioning data of respectivefirst networks or nodes thereof associated with said at least twoshortened identifiers is identified by only considering positioning dataof first networks or nodes thereof within a certain geographicalproximity of said first network or node thereof associated with said atleast one original identifier.

For instance, the geographical proximity may be a maximum distance, suchas lkm, 500 m, 100 m, 50 m, so that only positioning data of firstnetwork or node thereof is considered within said maximum distance fromsaid first networks or nodes thereof associated with said at least oneoriginal identifier. For this, the database comprising respectivepositioning data may be designed to be searchable by location. Forinstance, original identifiers (and respective position data) associatedwith networks or nodes thereof, which are within said certaingeographical proximity, may be retrieved from the database. Theshortened identifiers can then be matched to the respective originalidentifiers retrieved from the database. In this way, a potentialambiguity of the shortened identifiers may be resolved.

It may nevertheless be the case that the use of shortened identifiersleads to ambiguities. Therefore, and according to an exemplaryembodiment, in case it is determined that an obtained shortenedidentifier is associated with positioning data of different firstnetworks or nodes thereof, the positioning data of none, all or apreferred one of said different first networks or nodes thereof is usedfor said determining of a position estimate. This may be the case forone or more single shortened identifiers. As an example, a preferred oneof said different first networks or nodes thereof may be the firstnetwork or node thereof with the highest received signal strength.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects, said atleast two original identifiers for which a shortened identifier isgenerated and provided and/or said at least one original identifier tobe provided with said shortened identifiers are/is selected from saidmultiple original identifiers at least in part based on a qualityparameter of signals of respective first radio networks or nodesthereof.

It may be the case that the first apparatus is able to obtain moreoriginal identifiers than (original and shortened) identifiers aresupposed to be provided over the second network. In that case the firstapparatus needs to select the (original) identifiers to be used. It ispreferred that (at least a part of) the original identifiers areselected at least in part based on a quality parameter of signals ofrespective first radio networks or nodes thereof. An example of aquality parameter is a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value.Preferably the original identifiers with the highest signal strength areselected, since the respective radio networks or nodes thereof usuallyare most proximate to the first apparatus.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects, said atleast two original identifiers for which a shortened identifier isgenerated and provided and/or said at least one original identifier tobe provided with said shortened identifiers are/is selected from saidmultiple original identifiers at least in part based on a commonality ofsaid original identifiers.

Preferably, said commonality of said original identifiers is anidentical section of one or more information units of respectiveoriginal identifiers. An information unit may for instance be a bit, abyte or an octet. Preferably, the commonality is the first n (with nbeing an integer) information units, e.g. the first three bytes ofrespective original identifiers. In the case of MAC addresses, forinstance, the first three bytes identify the organization that issuedthe identifier and are known as the Organizationally Unique Identifier(OUI).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects, saidgenerating of a respective shortened identifier is at least based ontruncating a respective original identifier.

Accordingly, said shortened identifiers obtained at the second apparatusmay in each case be based on a respective truncated original identifier.

For instance, certain, e.g. first, last or middle, (consecutive)information units or a certain section of the original identifier may beused in order to generate the shortened identifier. As an example, thelast one, two, three four byte(s) of an original identifier may be usedas the shortened identifier. It may be possible to further process therespective information units of the original identifier (e.g. byalgorithms) or to use the information units as is.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects, saidgenerating of a respective shortened identifier is at least based onutilizing one or more information units of a respective originalidentifier.

Accordingly, said shortened identifiers obtained at the second apparatusare in each case at least based on one or more information units of arespective original identifier.

The used information units may be consecutive or isolated informationunits of the original identifier. For instance, the shortened identifiermay be comprised of certain first and last information units of theoriginal identifier. As explained above, the shortened identifier maythus be comprised of information units of the original identifier. Incase the identifier is a MAC address for instance, the identifier may bea 6-byte number with the upper three bytes being the IEEE-grantedOrganization Unique Identifier (OM) and the lower three bytes being theOUI-specific part. A selection of one or more information units or partsof the original identifier may comprise selecting a byte of the OUT (forinstance, the lowest or highest) and a byte of the OUI specific part(for instance, the lowest or highest).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects saidgenerating of a respective shortened identifier is at least based onhashing a respective original identifier or a part thereof.

Accordingly, said shortened identifiers obtained at the second apparatusmay in each case at least be based on a hash value of a respectiveoriginal identifier or a part thereof.

The hash function used for hashing may for instance be a cyclicredundancy check (CRC) or a checksum. For instance, in cyclic redundancycheck algorithms a shortened check value of an input value is obtained,which is or is based on the remainder of a polynomial division. Forinstance, a cyclic redundancy check algorithm allowed by the sector ofthe International Telecommunication Union ITU-T may be used, forinstance the CRC-16 ITU-T algorithm. Examples of crc or checksumalgorithms are BSD checksum, Checksum, CRC-16, CRC-32, CRC-64 or SYSVchecksum, sum, sum8, suml6, sum24, sum32. Generally, also othernon-cryptographic or cryptographic hash functions may be used. If theoriginal identifier is used as the input value, the obtained shortenedcheck value may then be used for generating the shortened identifier ofthe original identifier. For instance, the shortened identifier may bethe shortened check value.

For instance, if the identifier is an n-byte number, the shortenedderivative may be an m-byte number (with 0<m<n). For instance, as anon-limiting example, the identifier may be 6 bytes long. After using anCRC algorithm the identifier is mapped to a corresponding hash value.

According to an embodiment of the different aspects, said second radionetwork is a Low Power Wide Area Network. Accordingly, said firstapparatus may be a or may comprises a low power device of said Low PowerWide Area Network.

A Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is in particular understood to bea wireless telecommunication wide area network designed to allow longrange communications (e.g. over hundreds of meters or over kilometers)at a low bit rate among things (connected objects). Accordingly, a lowpower device may be a device of such a network, e.g. a sensor operatedon battery. The frequencies employed may in particular be in the MHzregime (e.g. 868 MHz or 902 MHz).

The Low Power Wide Area Network may for instance be based on LoRatechnology (e.g. LoRaWAN), which is a chirp spread spectrum (CSS) radiomodulation technology. Alternatively, the Low Power Wide Area Networkmay be based on Ultra Narrow Band (UNB) modulation technology.

One non-limiting example of a Low Power Wide Area Network is a Sigfoxnetwork. The frequencies used are 868 MHz and 902 MHz. Suchcommunication supports up to 140 uplink messages a day (from first tosecond apparatus), each of which can carry a payload of 12 Bytes(excluding message header and transmission information) and up to 4downlink messages per day (from second to first apparatus), each ofwhich can carry a payload of 8 Bytes.

Another non-limiting example of a Low Power Wide Area Network is aNarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) network, standardized by the 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP). The NB-IoT technology may be deployedin-band in spectrum allocated to Long Term Evolution (LTE), usingresource blocks within a normal LTE carrier (or in the unused resourceblocks within a LTE carrier's guard-band) or standalone for deploymentsin dedicated spectrum.

According to an example embodiment of the different aspects, a data rateof at said first apparatus for providing said shortened identifiersand/or said at least one original identifier is 50 kbit/s or less,preferably 10 kbit/s or less, further preferably 1 kbit/s or less.

Accordingly, a data rate for obtaining said shortened identifiers and/orsaid at least one original identifier may be 50 kbit/s or less,preferably 10 kbit/s or less, further preferably 1 kbit/s or less.

The data rate may for instance be a maximum data rate. The describeddata rates may not only be the data rates for providing or obtaining therespective identifiers, but also the generally used data rates for thesecond radio network.

According to an example embodiment of the different aspects, a payloadof a message and/or a packet of said first apparatus for providing saidshortened identifiers and/or said at least one original identifier is atmost 100 bytes, preferably at most 50 bytes, further preferably at most12 bytes.

Accordingly, a payload of a message and/or a packet for obtaining saidshortened identifiers and/or said at least one original identifier maybe at most 100 bytes, preferably at most 50 bytes, further preferably atmost 12 bytes.

For instance, a message may be comprised of multiple or only a singlepacket. Apart from a data limit for a message or packet, there may alsobe a message or packet limit per day. For instance, the first apparatusmay not be allowed to send more than n messages per day, with n being200 or less, preferably 150 or less (e.g. 140). For instance, the firstapparatus may not receive more than n messages per day, with n being 10or less preferably 5 or less (e.g. 4).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the different aspects, saidshortened identifiers and/or said at least one original identifier areprovided in a payload of a single message and/or a single packet.

Accordingly, said shortened identifiers and/or said at least oneoriginal identifier may be obtained in a payload of a single messageand/or a single packet.

As already described, according to an exemplary embodiment of thedifferent aspects, said first radio networks comprise at least one of

-   -   a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system;    -   a Bluetooth (BT) system;    -   a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system;    -   a cellular network system.

For instance, each of the first networks is a WLAN network, a Bluetoothsystem, an RFID system or a cellular network system. However, it mayalso be the case that the first networks comprise different kinds ofnetworks.

According to an exemplary embodiment, said second apparatus is orcomprises a server or a part thereof. The server may in particularcomprise or have access to a database comprising original identifiersand associated positioning data. The server may be a server remote fromthe first apparatus. The server may be realized by one or more computersor a computer cloud.

The features and example embodiments of the invention described abovemay equally pertain to the different aspects of the invention.

It is to be understood that the presentation of embodiments of theinvention in this section is merely exemplary and non-limiting.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should bemade to the appended claims. It should be further understood that thedrawings are not drawn to scale and that they are merely intended toconceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a positioning system in whichexample embodiments of apparatuses according to the present inventionare provided;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of apparatuses 2 of FIG. 1 according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention for instance performed by the apparatus 2 ofFIGS. 1, 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of apparatus 4 of FIG. 1 according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention for instance performed by apparatus 4 ofFIGS. 1, 4; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of examples of tangible storage mediaaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a system 1, in which example embodiments of apparatusesaccording to the present invention are provided. The system 1 istherefore an example embodiment of the third aspect of the invention. InFIG. 1, a first apparatus 2, which is in this case a low power device ofa LPWAN, is capable of obtaining original identifiers associated withnodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5 of first radio networks. The nodes maybelong to the same or different networks. Each of nodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3,3-4 and 3-5 provides certain radio coverage in a respective coveragearea 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 and 6-5. As already described, non-limitingexamples of a node of a radio network may be an access point or beaconof a non-cellular radio network, such as for instance a WLAN network, ora base station (or sectors thereof) of a cellular radio network, such asfor instance a 2G, 3G or 4G radio network.

Obtaining an original identifier associated with a node of a first radionetwork by the first apparatus 2 may for instance require that the firstapparatus is able to observe, e.g. to receive and correctly decode anoriginal identifier of the node of the first radio network that providesthe coverage area, for instance a basic service set identification(BSSID), a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, a service set identifier(SSID) or another identifier. For this, it may be required that thefirst apparatus is able to receive one or more signals (e.g. a broadcastchannel) of the node of the first radio network, which are for examplesent by the node with a pre-defined minimum quality (for instancedefined in terms of a signal-to-noise ratio or a signal-to-noise andinterference ratio), and/or is able to at least partially receive andcorrectly decode one or more signals of the node. Some or all of theseconditions for obtaining an original identifier associated with a nodeof a first radio network may for instance be met when the firstapparatus is within the coverage area of the node of the first radionetwork.

A node of a first radio network may for instance have an originalidentifier that is unique (e.g.

globally unique) at least in the radio network (and for instance also inall other radio networks). Equally well, a node of a radio network mayfor instance have an original identifier that is not globally unique(e.g. only locally unique) in the radio network, but that is at leastunique in a certain region covered by the radio network.

Obtaining an original identifier (or information in general) from thenode of the first radio network may for instance require that the firstapparatus is technically capable to receive such an identifier or suchinformation. Thus, the first apparatus may have to support thetransmission technology (e.g. the communication standard) used by thenode. However, receiving such signals or information from the node maynot necessarily require that the first device is also entitled tocommunicate with the node.

The first apparatus 2 can send messages to a second apparatus 4 (aremote server) at least in part over a second radio network, which is aLPWAN network. Thus, the first apparatus 2 could generally provide theobtained original identifiers to the second apparatus 4. However, due tothe limited bandwidth of the second radio network, this would take uptoo much bandwidth and/or require a too long time.

Thus, the first apparatus 2 is capable of generating shortenedidentifiers from some or all of the obtained original identifiers and tointer alia provide these shortened identifiers to the second apparatus 4and receive a position estimate as a response, as illustrated in FIG. 1,but which will be described in more detail below.

Now, shortened (and optionally original) identifiers may be provided tothe second apparatus 4 in the scope of a position request of the firstapparatus 2 (requesting a determination of its position). Based on theshortened (and optionally original) identifiers obtained by the firstapparatus 2 and received by the second apparatus 4 (and e.g. optionallyalso based on models of the coverage areas and/or radio channel modelsof the nodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 and 3-5) a position estimate of thefirst apparatus 2 can be determined. Therein, the determination of theposition may be derived from an average of the position of the nodes3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5 the intersection of the coverage areas 6-1, 6-2,6-3, 6-4 and 6-5, or by triangulation, to name but a few non-limitingexamples. The position estimate may be provided to the first apparatus 2as an answer to the position request.

For the purpose of positioning, positioning data on the nodes 3-1, 3-2,3-3′, 3-4, 3-5 and/or coverage areas 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 of therespective radio networks is contained in datasets of a database ofserver 4 or a database server 4 has access to. The database may store aplurality of datasets with positioning data. The sets of positioningdata may comprise geographical positions of the nodes, coverage areamodel information and/or radio channel model information. That is, thedatabase may in particular comprise sets of positioning data associatedwith respective nodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 and 3-5. Optionally, thedatabase may further comprise the shortened identifiers of the obtainedoriginal identifiers associated with the nodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 and3-5.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a firstapparatus 2 (e.g. low power device) according to the invention. Thedevice may in particular be battery powered and/or powered by energyharvesting. Apparatus 2 may also form a part (e.g. as a module) of a lowpower device, for instance. A non-limiting example of such a low powerdevice is a sensor device.

First apparatus 2 comprises a processor 20. Processor 20 may represent asingle processor or two or more processors, which are for instance atleast partially coupled, for instance via a bus. Processor 20 executes aprogram code stored in program memory 21 (for instance program codecausing apparatus 2 to perform one or more of the embodiments of a firstmethod according to the invention (as for instance further describedbelow), when executed on processor 20), and interfaces with a mainmemory 22. Some or all of memories 21 and 22 may also be included intoprocessor 20. One of or both of memories 21 and 22 may be fixedlyconnected to processor 20 or at least partially removable from processor20, for instance in the form of a memory card or stick. Program memory21 may for instance be a non-volatile memory. It may for instance be aFLASH memory (or a part thereof), any of a ROM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROMmemory (or a part thereof) or a hard disc (or a part thereof), to namebut a few examples. Program memory 21 may also comprise an operatingsystem for processor 20. Program memory 20 may for instance comprise afirst memory portion that is fixedly installed in apparatus 2, and asecond memory portion that is removable from apparatus 2, for instancein the form of a removable SD memory card. One or more sets of positioninformation, for instance in a database, that are useable by apparatus 2to deter-mine positions may for instance be stored in program memory 21.Main memory 22 may for instance be a volatile memory. It may forinstance be a RAM or DRAM memory, to give but a few non-limitingexamples. It may for instance be used as a working memory for processor20 when executing an operating system and/or programs.

Processor 20 further controls a WLAN interface 23 configured to at leastreceive and optionally to output information with respective first radionetworks. For instance, WLAN interface 23 may be configured to at leastidentify nodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 and 3-5 of system 1 of FIG. 1, that isto obtain respective original identifiers. As explained, WLAN interface23 may also be a stripped down interface, which is basically only ableto receive respective original identifiers, but in particular notcapable of sending data. The WLAN interface 23 may for instance comprisecircuitry such as modulators, filters, mixers, switches and/or one ormore antennas to allow transmission and/or reception of signals. WLANinterface 23 may in particular be configured to allow communicationaccording to a non-cellular WLAN radio network. However, the WLANinterface 23 may in other examples be any other suitable communicationinterface, depending on the technology used by the first radio network.In embodiments of the invention, WLAN interface 23 is may also be acommunication interface configured to allow communication according to a2G/3G/4G cellular radio network.

Processor 20 further controls a LPWAN interface 25 configured to receiveand output information with a respective second radio network, in thiscase a LPWAN. In this way, the first apparatus 2 is able to at leastsend to and optionally receive information from the server 4 of system 1(see FIG. 1). This may for instance comprise sending respectiveshortened (and optionally original) identifiers in the scope ofpositioning requests to server 4. Also, a position estimate may bereceived from server 4 via LPWAN interface 25. The communication withserver 4 may for instance also be based on further connections, e.g.wired connections. That is, the communication route between firstapparatus 2 and server 4 may equally well at least partially comprisewire-bound portions. For instance, server 4 may be connected to aback-bone of a wireless radio network (LPWAN) via an at least in partwire-bound system such as for instance the internet.

Processor 20 may further control an optional user interface 24configured to present information to a user of first apparatus 20 and/orto receive information from such a user. Such information may forinstance comprise information on a position estimate received. Userinterface 24 may for instance be the standard user interface via which auser of first apparatus 2 with first apparatus 2 to control otherfunctionality thereof. However, it may also be possible that firstapparatus does not have a user interface.

The components 21-25 of apparatus 2 may for instance be connected withprocessor 20 by means of one or more serial and/or parallel busses.

An example embodiment of a method of the first aspect performed by thefirst apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 furtherbelow.

Turning now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an exampleembodiment of the second apparatus 4 according to the invention. Secondapparatus 4 for instance is or forms a part (e.g. as a module) of aserver, e.g. server 4 of FIG. 1.

Apparatus 4 comprises a processor 40. Processor 40 may represent asingle processor or two or more processors, which are for instance atleast partially coupled, for instance via a bus. Processor 40 executes aprogram code stored in program memory 41 (for instance program codecausing apparatus 4 to perform embodiments of the second methodaccording to the invention (as for instance described further below),when executed on processor 40). Processor 40 further interfaces with amain memory 42 (for instance acting as a working memory) and a massstorage 44, which may for instance store a plurality of originalidentifiers associated with respective first radio networks or nodesthereof and respective sets of positioning data and optionallyrespective shortened identifiers. Memories 41 and/or 42 may also beincluded into processor 40. Memories 41 and/or 42 may be fixedlyconnected to the apparatus 4 or may at least partially be removable fromapparatus 4, for instance in the form of a memory card or stick. Programmemory 41 may for instance be a non-volatile memory. It may for instancebe a FLASH memory (or a part thereof), any of a ROM, PROM, EPROM andEEPROM memory (or a part thereof) or a hard disc (or a part thereof), toname but a few examples. Program memory 41 may also comprise anoperating system for processor 40. Program memory 40 may for instance beimplemented as a hard disk. Main memory 42 may for instance be avolatile memory. It may for instance be a RAM or DRAM memory, to givebut a few non-limiting examples. It may for instance be used as aworking memory for processor 40 when executing an operating systemand/or programs. Mass storage 44 may for instance be embodied as massstorage device, for instance with capacities of several Gigabytes orseveral Terabytes. It may either be fixedly connected to processor 40,or may be releasably connectable thereto. Non-limiting examples of massstorage 44 are a direct-attached storage (DAS), a storage area network(SAN) or a Network-attached storage (NAS).

Processor 40 further controls a communication interface 43 configured toreceive and/or output information. For instance, communication interface43 may be configured to exchange information with first apparatus 2 ofsystem 1 (see FIG. 1). This may for instance comprise receiving requests(comprising shortened identifiers and optionally original identifiers)from first apparatus 2 and providing a position estimate to firstapparatus 2. Even though the communication with first apparatus 2 isinter alia realized via the second radio network (LPWAN), thecommunication interface 43 may also be based on other technologies andonly a part (e.g. the last part, “last mile”) of the communication withfirst apparatus 2 is performed via said second radio network (LPWAN).The communication route from the server 4 to mobile terminal 2 may thenfor instance comprise both wire-bound and wireless portions. Thus, awire-bound and/or wireless portion may for instance connectcommunication interface 43 with a back-bone of the second radio network(LPWAN) and thus with first apparatus 2. Communication interface 43 mayfor instance comprise circuitry such as modulators, filters, mixers,switches and/or one or more antennas to allow transmission and/orreception of signals.

The components 41-44 of apparatus 4 may for instance be connected withprocessor 40 by means of one or more serial and/or parallel busses.

It is to be noted that the circuitry formed by the components ofapparatuses 2 and 4 may be implemented in hardware alone, partially inhardware and in software, or in software only, as further described atthe end of this specification.

Example embodiments of the method of the first aspect and the secondaspect will now be described with reference to the flow diagrams 300,500 of FIGS. 3 and 5.

In the following MAC addresses are used as examples for the (original)identifiers. However, other identifiers may be used as well.

The first apparatus 2 (low power device) first observes and obtains theMAC addresses of nearby WLAN access points (e.g. nodes 3-1, 3-2, 3-3,3-4 and 3-5 of FIG. 1), action 301.

The first apparatus 2 then checks whether a-priori information on alocation of said first apparatus is already available, in order todetermine whether only shortened identifiers shall be provided (a-prioriinformation available) or whether also an original identifier shall beprovided (a-priori information not available), action 302.

In the present case, it is assumed, that a-priori information is notavailable. Therefore, the first apparatus 2 will generate, in this casefor four of said original identifiers a respective shortened identifier,action 303. For instance, while the original identifier of node 3-1shall be provided as a full MAC address, a respective shortenedidentifier is generated for original identifiers of nodes 3-2, 3-3, 3-4and 3-5.

There is the question of how to select from the original identifiersobtained the one that is to be provided in full and also the ones to beprovided as shortened identifiers, particularly if there are moreobserved identifiers than are supposed to be included in the message.One approach is to use the one with the highest received signal strength(=highest RSSI value or Rx level) as the node or radio network for whichthe identifier shall be provided in full. Then the other nodes or radionetworks are selected in descending order of received signal strength.Another possible approach is to select or prefer those nodes or radionetworks, which share a commonality, e.g. a MAC addresses with identicalOUI, that is with identical first 3 bytes.

Then, first apparatus 2 will create a 12-byte LPWAN message with onefull original MAC address (of node 3-1) of 6 bytes and four shortenedMAC addresses (of nodes 3-2, 3-3, 3-4 and 3-5). The four shortenedidentifiers may each take up 1,5 bytes, so that a message of 12 bytes intotal is created. Depending on the number of shortened identifiers alsosix 1-byte shortened identifiers, three 2-byte shortened identifiers,two 3-byte shortened identifiers, or one 2-byte +four 1-byte shortenedidentifiers, or any other suitable combination, may be used.

One approach to generate the shortened identifier is to pick e.g. thelowest n bytes of the original identifier, e.g. three bytes in a 3-byteversion or 1,5 bytes in the 1,5-byte version mentioned above.Alternatively, it is also possible to hash the original identifier tocreate an as unique shortened identifier as possible.

To exemplify this feature, assume that the MAC addresses of the nodesare as follows:

Node 3-1: AABBCCDDEEFF Node 3-2: AABBCCDDEABC Node 3-3: AABBCCDDEDEFNode 3-4: AABBCCDDEBFA Node 3-5: AABBCCDDECAD

The first apparatus will then truncate the MAC addresses of node 3-2 to3-5 and create a message or positioning request containing the followingidentifiers (one full MAC address and four 1.5-byte shortened MACaddresses):

-   -   AABBCCDDEEFF (“full original identifier of node 3-1”)    -   ABC (“shortened identifier of node 3-2”)    -   DEF (“shortened identifier of node 3-3”)    -   BFA (“shortened identifier of node 3-4”)    -   CAD (“shortened identifier of node 3-5”)

The 12-byte message with the shortened identifiers together with the oneoriginal identifier will be sent over the second radio network (LPWAN)to the server 4 for positioning or assisting in positioning said firstapparatus 2, action 304.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the second apparatus 4 (server) will receive themessage with the original and shortened identifiers, action 501.

Now the server 4 retrieves (e.g. from a positioning database)positioning data for the first radio network or node 3-1 for which theoriginal identifier is available (and which positioning data can bedetermined unambiguously). Server 4 also retrieves positioning data andthe original identifiers for all first networks or nodes thereof withina certain geographical proximity of said first network or node thereofassociated with said at least one original identifier, action 502.

For instance, this may result in obtaining positioning data and thefollowing respective MAC addresses at server 4, as these are first radionetworks or nodes thereof in proximity (e.g. within 100 meters or so) ofnode 3-1, for which the full MAC address (AABBCCDDEEFF) is known atserver 4:

AABBCCDDEABC AABBCCDDEEFE AABBCCDDEDEF AABBCCDDEBFA AABBCCDEEBFA

Now, server 4 can (try to) identify positioning data of respective firstnetworks or nodes thereof associated with said at least two shortenedidentifiers, action 503, which will lead to the following result:

AABBCCDDEABC → matches to shortened identifier of node 3-2AABBCCDDEEFE → does not math any shortened identifierAABBCCDDEDEF → matches to shortened identifier of node 3-3AABBCCDDEBFA → matches to shortened identifier of node 3-4AABBCCDEEBFA → also matches to shortened identifier of node 3-4

Now, as can be noticed, unique matches were found for the nodes 3-2 and3-3. However, for the node 3-4 there was a non-unique match. One optionis not to use the identifiers AABBCCDDEBFA and AABBCCDEEBFA identifiedwith shortened identifier BFA and the respective positioning data forpositioning. However, another option would be to use the positioningdata for both MAC addresses AABBCCDDEBFA and AABBCCDEEBFA forpositioning. Finally, there was no match for the shortened identifier ofnode 3-5. Therefore, the positioning data of in total three nodes (node3-1, node 3-2 and node 3-3) can be used for positioning. Using thepositioning data a positioning estimate of said first apparatus 2 can bedetermined, action 504.

In other words, since server 4 has obtained one MAC address in its full,unique form, the respective database can be queried for the respectivepositioning data of the first network or node thereof. Then, the MACaddresses of geographically nearby first networks or nodes thereof canbe compared to the shortened MAC addresses received in the positioningrequest. This makes it possible in the described example case to usemore than two nodes in positioning. In this scheme the database issearchable not only by MAC addresses, but also by location so thatpositioning data for geographically nearby first networks or nodesthereof can be retrieved, too.

However, if there is prior information on the position of the firstapparatus 2, no full MAC address is needed, not even of node 3-1. Inthat case, the 12-byte message could be used to carry e.g. six 2-byteshortened MAC addresses. Such prior information might result, forinstance, from an earlier positioning determination and/or the knowledgethat the first apparatus has not moved substantially.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of tangible storage media that may forinstance be used to implement program memory 21 of FIG. 2 and/or programmemory 41 of FIG. 4. To this end, FIG. 6 displays a flash memory 61,which may for instance be soldered or bonded to a printed circuit board,a solid-state drive 62 comprising a plurality of memory chips (e.g.Flash memory chips), a magnetic hard drive 63, a Secure Digital (SD)card 64, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick 65, an opticalstorage medium 66 (such as for instance a CD-ROM or DVD) and a magneticstorage medium 67.

Any presented connection in the described embodiments is to beunderstood in a way that the involved components are operationallycoupled. Thus, the connections can be direct or indirect with any numberor combination of intervening elements, and there may be merely afunctional relationship between the components.

Further, as used in this text, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to any of thefollowing:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations inonly analog and/or digital circuitry)

(b) combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as:(i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions ofprocessor(s)/ software (including digital signal processor(s)),software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, suchas a mobile phone, to perform various functions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of amicroprocessor(s), that re-quire software or firmware for operation,even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in thistext, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in thistext, the term ‘circuitry’ also covers an implementation of merely aprocessor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (ortheir) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term ‘circuitry’ alsocovers, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applicationsprocessor integrated circuit for a mobile phone.

Any of the processors mentioned in this text, in particular but notlimited to processors 20 and 40 of FIGS. 2 and 4, could be a processorof any suitable type. Any processor may comprise but is not limited toone or more microprocessors, one or more processor(s) with accompanyingdigital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) withoutaccompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more special-purposecomputer chips, one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAS), oneor more controllers, one or more application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICS), or one or more computer(s). The relevantstructure/hardware has been programmed in such a way to carry out thedescribed function.

Moreover, any of the actions described or illustrated herein may beimplemented using executable instructions in a general-purpose orspecial-purpose processor and stored on a computer-readable storagemedium (e.g., disk, memory, or the like) to be executed by such aprocessor. References to ‘computer-readable storage medium’ should beunderstood to encompass specialized circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs,signal processing devices, and other devices.

It will be understood that all presented embodiments are only exemplary,and that any feature presented for a particular exemplary embodiment maybe used with any aspect of the invention on its own or in combinationwith any feature presented for the same or another particular exemplaryembodiment and/or in combination with any other feature not mentioned.It will further be understood that any feature presented for an exampleembodiment in a particular category may also be used in a correspondingmanner in an example embodiment of any other category.

1. Method, performed by a first apparatus, for positioning or assistingin positioning said first apparatus, said method comprising: obtainingmultiple original identifiers identifying respective first radionetworks or nodes thereof; generating, for each of at least two of saidoriginal identifiers, from a respective original identifier a shortenedidentifier being representative of said respective original identifierand having a smaller size than said respective original identifier;checking whether a-priori information on a location of said firstapparatus is available or is potentially available, providing saidshortened identifiers over a second radio network for positioning orassisting in positioning said first apparatus; and providing at leastone original identifier together with said shortened identifiers, if aresult of said checking is that a-priori information on a location ofsaid first apparatus is not available or potentially not available. 2.Method according to claim 1, wherein said method is performed more thanonce and wherein, for at least some provisions of the at least oneoriginal identifier, a different original identifier is chosen from theobtained multiple original identifiers.
 3. Method according to claim 1,wherein said at least two original identifiers for which a shortenedidentifier is generated and provided and/or said at least one originalidentifier to be provided with said shortened identifiers are/isselected from said multiple original identifiers at least in part basedon a quality parameter of signals of respective first radio networks ornodes thereof.
 4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said at least twooriginal identifiers for which a shortened identifier is generated andprovided and/or said at least one original identifier to be providedwith said shortened identifiers are/is selected from said multipleoriginal identifiers at least in part based on a commonality of saidoriginal identifiers.
 5. Method according to claim 4, wherein saidcommonality of said original identifiers is an identical section of oneor more information units of respective original identifiers.
 6. Methodaccording to claim 1, said method further comprising: providing saidshortened identifiers without providing an original identifier, if aresult of said checking is that a-priori information on a location ofsaid first apparatus is available or is potentially available.
 7. Methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said generating of a respective shortenedidentifier is at least based on truncating a respective originalidentifier.
 8. Method according to claim 1, wherein said generating of arespective shortened identifier is at least based on utilizing one ormore information units of a respective original identifier.
 9. Methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said generating of a respective shortenedidentifier is at least based on hashing a respective original identifieror a part thereof.
 10. (canceled)
 11. Method according to claim 1,wherein a data rate of at said first apparatus for providing saidshortened identifiers and/or said at least one original identifier is 50kbit/s or less.
 12. Method according to claim 1, wherein a payload of amessage and/or a packet of said first apparatus for providing saidshortened identifiers and/or said at least one original identifier is atmost 100 bytes.
 13. Method according to claim 1, wherein said shortenedidentifiers and/or said at least one original identifier are provided ina payload of a single message and/or a single packet.
 14. (canceled) 15.Method for positioning or assisting in positioning a first apparatus,performed by a second apparatus, said method comprising: obtaining atleast two shortened identifiers over a second radio network forpositioning of said first apparatus, each of said shortened identifiershaving been generated from a respective original identifier obtained atsaid first apparatus and identifying respective first radio networks ornodes thereof, wherein a respective shortened identifier isrepresentative of a respective original identifier and having a smallersize than said respective original identifier; and determining aposition estimate of said first apparatus at least in part based onpositioning data of respective first networks or nodes thereofassociated with said at least two shortened identifiers, w herein, ifavailable, said determining of a position estimate of said firstapparatus is at least in part also based on a-priori know ledge on aposition of said first apparatus.
 16. Method according to claim 15, saidmethod further comprising: obtaining at least one original identifierobtained at said first apparatus together with said shortenedidentifiers; wherein said determining of a position estimate of saidfirst apparatus is at least in part also based on positioning data ofrespective first networks or nodes thereof associated with said at leastone original identifier.
 17. Method according to claim 16, whereinpositioning data of respective first networks or nodes thereofassociated with said at least two shortened identifiers is identified byonly considering positioning data of first networks or nodes thereofwithin a certain geographical proximity of said first network or nodethereof associated with said at least one original identifier. 18.Method according to claim 15, wherein in case it is determined that anobtained shortened identifier is associated with positioning data ofdifferent first networks or nodes thereof, the positioning data of none,all or a preferred one of said different first networks or nodes thereofis used for said determining of a position estimate.
 19. Methodaccording to claim 15, wherein said shortened identifiers obtained atthe second apparatus are in each case based on a respective truncatedoriginal identifier.
 20. Method according to claim 15, wherein saidshortened identifiers obtained at the second apparatus are in each caseat least based on one or more information units of a respective originalidentifier.
 21. Method according to claim 15, wherein said shortenedidentifiers obtained at the second apparatus are in each case at leastbased on a hash value of a respective original identifier or a partthereof.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled) 26.(canceled)
 27. (canceled)
 28. (canceled)
 29. (canceled)
 30. An apparatuscomprising at least one processor and at least one memory includingcomputer program code, the at least one memory and the computer programcode configured to, with the at least one processor, cause an apparatusat least to: obtain multiple original identifiers identifying respectivefirst radio networks or nodes thereof; generate, for each of at leasttwo of said original identifiers, from a respective original identifiera shortened identifier being representative of said respective originalidentifier and having a smaller size than said respective originalidentifier, check whether a-priori information on a location of saidfirst apparatus is available or is potentially available, provide saidshortened identifiers over a second radio network for positioning orassisting in positioning said first apparatus; and provide at least oneoriginal identifier together with said shortened identifiers, if aresult of said checking is that a-priori information on a location ofsaid first apparatus is not available. or potentially not available. 31.(canceled)
 32. (canceled)